Paint, lacquer, and varnish remover poisoning

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This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing or breathing in (sniffing) products to remove paint, lacquer, or varnish.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Paint, lacquer, and varnish removers may contain the following poisonous ingredients:

Benzyl alcohol

Ethanol

Formic acid

Methyl alcohol

Methylene hydrochloride

Naphtha

Xylene

Where Found

Paint, lacquer, and varnish removers are sold under various brand names.

Symptoms

Paint lacquer and varnish remover poisoning can cause symptoms in various parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)

Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)

Rapid, shallow breathing

Fluid in the lungs

Blood in the lungs

Stopped breathing

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

Severe pain in the throat

Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue

Vision loss

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

Abdominal pain -- severe

Bloody stools

Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)

Vomiting, possibly with blood

KIDNEY

Kidney failure

HEART AND BLOOD

Collapse

Low blood pressure -- develops rapidly

Severe change in the level of acid in the blood (pH balance) -- leads to the failure of many organs

SKIN

Burns

Irritation

Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)

Confusion

Dizziness (from sniffing)

Feeling of being drunk (euphoria)

Incoordination

Unsteadiness

Convulsions

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care provider.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a provider.

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move them to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency

Get the following information:

Person's age, weight, and condition

Name of product (ingredients and strength, if known)

Time it was swallowed

Amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

Breathing support -- including a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and a breathing machine (ventilator)

Bronchoscopy -- camera placed down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs

Chest x-ray

ECG (heart tracing)

Endoscopy -- camera placed down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach

Fluids through a vein (IV)

Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Swallowing such poisons can have severe effects on many parts of the body. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage.

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